From the responses in post #15, it looks like you are correct and the b43 driver is the way to go. I'm also pretty sure that this is the one that is being loaded up on boot, automatically by the kernel.

I'm wondering if something else in my computer is messing up the communication with the wireless card (not the power to it but the communication). I have an AC'97 modem that I don't think Slackware 13.37 gets along to well with.

Is there anywhere in Slackware where another device would screw up communication with my wireless card, even though the card SHOULD be working at this point?

I know you have already done the firmware update, but it would be worthwhile using the Slackbuilds from http://slackbuilds.org/result/?search=b43&sv=13.37 to build and install the b43-firmware. This will give confidence that everything is done in the way that Slackware 13.37 expects.

Does your wireless card appear in the listing from 'ifconfig -a'? I would expect an interface wlan0.

If you can see wlan0, what is the output from 'iwconfig wlan0'?

I believe you are close with this, with some final configuration to go. I would not worry about other devices just yet.

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Yes!!!!!!!

That did it!!!!!

That slackbuilds was quite a process for the command line, but it worked, and that's all that matters.

I am connected to my wifi network, the internet, and my usual make-sure-it's-not-a-cached-page web search for "Hello World" has turned up unique results.

I'll be sure to use slackbuilds.org for my downloading from now on.


@allend, Thank you very much for your help. I would not have been able to figure that one out alone.

Very glad you got this working. Those Broadcom devices have a reputation for being difficult to get working.
The Slackbuild process is intimidating at first, but once you have practiced a few times you will find it very straightforward. The ability to make, install and , most importantly, cleanly uninstall packages is a Slackware virtue that you appreciate more with time.

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